Toyota statement on NHTSA/Prius brake issue

[Eric]

STATEMENT FROM TOYOTA REGARDING PRIUS BRAKE ISSUE

TORRANCE, Calif., February 4, 2010 – Toyota is aware that NHTSA has opened a Preliminary Evaluation centered on owner complaints of a braking issue with the 2010 model year Prius. Toyota will cooperate fully with NHTSA’s investigation.

Some customers have complained of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction. The system, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. A running production change was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time, as well as the system’s overall
sensitivity to tire slippage.

This preliminary evaluation addresses owner complaints specific to the 2010
Prius. This condition is not related to either the floor mat entrapment recall or the sticky pedal recall currently in action.

Toyota will continue to evaluate the condition as it relates to owner complaints and will keep NHTSA informed of its progress.

[dieseleverything]

It seems Toyota is going to crap....

[Eric]

Originally Posted by dieseleverything

It seems Toyota is going to crap....

They're in serious trouble.. some inside baseball: They knew about the sticking throttle issue months ago but did nothing to address it. They're going to get sued - and they'll be squealing like a pig when it becomes public.

[Ken]

Originally Posted by Toyota

Some customers have complained of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction. The system, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. A running production change was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time, as well as the system’s overall
sensitivity to tire slippage.

I wonder what is meant by 'Inconsistent brake feel'. The moment the ABS starts to work then the braking effect, in relation to braking effort (pressure on the pedal) is under computerised electro-hydraulic control rather than that of the driver. The driver still needs to exercise a certain amount of skill in applying the brakes even though the ABS enables him/her to be able to steer to safety. To me, logical being that I am, if the surface texture is inconsistent the brake 'feeling' will vary for a given brake pressure whether ABS is used or not - isn't this what being a driver is all about? Personally I am happier without ABS - even though my Toyota has got it.

Ken.